Holter Monitoring

What Is a Hysteroscopy?

If you’re having heavy menstrual periods and severe cramping, or your doctor needs to know more about your reproductive health, she may recommend you have a hysteroscopy. The procedure can give her an up-close look at your cervix and uterus and help her learn what’s causing problems.

Why Would I Need the Procedure?

During a hysteroscopy, your doctor inserts a hysteroscope — a thin tube with light on the end — into your vagina. She’ll be able to see into your cervix and inside your uterus. If she finds anything abnormal, she can take a sample for later testing.Among the most common reasons for a hysteroscopy are periods that are longer or heavier than normal, or bleeding between periods.You might also need the procedure in these situations:

How is It Done?

A hysteroscopy can either be in a hospital or at your doctor’s office. You can be either awake or under general anesthesia during the procedure. If you’re awake, your doctor will give you medicine to help you relax. She’ll also use medication or tools called dilators to help open your cervix. He’ll likely use a tool called a speculum to keep your vagina open. If you’ve ever had a Pap smear, your doctor has probably used one during that procedure, too.

Next, He’ll gently insert the hysteroscope through the cervix into your uterus. Then He’ll push gas or a liquid-like saline through the hysteroscope into your uterus to expand it. This will give her a clear view of its lining and the opening of your fallopian tubes through the hysteroscope.

What is operative hysteroscopy?

Operative hysteroscopy is used to correct an abnormal condition that has been detected during a diagnostic hysteroscopy. If an abnormal condition was detected during the diagnostic hysteroscopy, an operative hysteroscopy can be performed at the same time, avoiding the need for a second surgery. During operative hysteroscopy, small instruments used to correct the condition are inserted through the hysteroscope.

Hysteroscopy Procedures